Best colleges for Political Science and Government in West Virginia
Ranked by graduate earnings
West Virginia University, Marshall University and University of Charleston award the most Political Science and Government degrees in West Virginia: 86, 19 and 11 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 12 West Virginia colleges offer Political Science and Government and award 222 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Political Science and Government program offers students an in-depth understanding of political systems, behavior, and institutions. This program is designed for individuals interested in exploring the complexities of governance,…
Top 3 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Virginia University Morgantown Public · Bachelor's degree | $30,286 | 86 | 65% | — | $23,250 |
| 2 | American Public University System Charles Town Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree Online | $56,763 | 77 | 57% | $10,199 | $18,304 |
| 3 | Fairmont State University Fairmont Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $34,992 | 6 | 44% | — | $25,878 |
Colleges awarding the most Political Science and Government degrees in West Virginia
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Virginia University Morgantown Public | 86 | $30,286* |
| 2 | Marshall University Huntington Public | 19 | Not reported |
| 3 | University of Charleston Charleston Private not-for-profit | 11 | Not reported |
| 4 | Shepherd University Shepherdstown Public | 9 | Not reported |
| 5 | Fairmont State University Fairmont Public | 6 | $34,992 |
| 6 | West Virginia Wesleyan College Buckhannon Private not-for-profit | 4 | Not reported |
| 7 | Bethany College Bethany Private not-for-profit | 3 | Not reported |
| 8 | Davis & Elkins College Elkins Private not-for-profit | 3 | Not reported |
| 9 | West Virginia University Institute of Technology Beckley Public | 2 | $30,286* |
| 10 | Concord University Athens Public | 1 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 2 West Virginia colleges offering Political Science and Government
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Public University System (Online) | Charles Town | Private for-profit | 77 |
| West Virginia State University | Institute | Public | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Political Scientists (SOC 19-3094).
Top skills
What Political Scientists earn in West Virginia
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Political Science and Government programs in West Virginia.
Which West Virginia colleges award the most Political Science and Government degrees?+
West Virginia University (86 graduates a year), Marshall University (19 graduates a year) and University of Charleston (11 graduates a year) award the most Political Science and Government degrees in West Virginia, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 12 West Virginia colleges offer Political Science and Government.
Which Political Science and Government program in West Virginia has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, West Virginia University tops the list at $30,286. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
What is the focus of the Political Science and Government program?+
The Political Science and Government program offers students an in-depth understanding of political systems, behavior, and institutions. This program is designed for individuals interested in exploring the complexities of governance,…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop reading comprehension, active listening, speaking, active learning, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Political Scientists?+
The national job outlook is about -3.1% growth with around 500 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Master's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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